Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead launched a social media engagement scheme in Edinburgh today (11 June), challenging members of the public to #MakeThingsLast by repairing, recycling or remanufacturing their unwanted goods.

The campaign follows on from the introduction of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, and aims to discover what the public believes could be the next big thing to help reduce waste in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has asked the public to provide their views on a number of circular economy initiatives including:

• Tool sharing libraries – it is estimated that the average drill is only used for about 13 minutes of its life. Initiatives such as the Edinburgh Tool Sharing Library allow Scots to join a scheme to borrow tools instead of purchasing them outright.
• Modular mobile phones – 93 per cent of UK adults own a mobile phone, 61 per cent of which are smart phones with an average lifespan of just two to three years. Making them easier to repair and upgrade could significantly increase their lifespan and improve recovery rates for the precious metals contained in phones.
• Leasing clothes – around 30 per cent of clothing in the UK (1.7 billion items) has not been worn for at least a year. The cost of this unused clothing in Scotland alone is around £2.5 billion. Hiring clothing instead of buying helps reduce this waste.
• Packaging from plants – a number of Scottish companies such as Edinburgh-based Vegware are now producing fully compostable packaging to replace non-degradable alternatives such as polystyrene.
• 3D printing centres – Scotland’s first ‘maker space’, Glasgow’s Maklab allows members to pay a subscription fee to use various facilities to get involved in making and repairing, often using 3D printing and related technologies.

How to end ‘throwaway culture’?

Speaking at the launch, Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “The #MakeThingsLast campaign is about engaging everyone in Scotland in finding a solution to a common problem we all share – how do we end our throwaway culture and make the most of what we already have?

“At the end of this campaign, your views could contribute to the development of a roadmap towards a circular economy in Scotland. This could see Scotland adopt more game changing policies and initiatives – like our recent adoption of a charge for single-use carrier bag. These changes will help shape our future society, ensuring it’s sustainable for generations to come.”

Circular economy a ‘moral imperative’

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead added: “How often do you buy new clothes for a special event that only get worn once? How many DIYers buy expensive power tools for a single task then leave them to gather dust in the garden shed? How many parents resort to buying brand new toys when something gets broken rather than repairing it?

“That’s why we’re here today – to ask people to take up our #MakeThingsLast challenge and think of ways in which they can contribute towards a more circular economy for Scotland.

“Scotland is already recognised internationally as a leader in the movement towards becoming a circular economy. Our Scottish Institute for Remanufacture, is the first of its kind in Europe and one of only four in the world alongside New York, Singapore and Beijing.”

“Creating a more circular economy is good for the environment, good for the economy and like our action on climate change, a moral imperative – it will create jobs in our communities, improve our quality of life, and just makes good sense.”

Find out more about the #MakeThingsLast campaign.